"Z-Man" Zach O'Connell Collects Hardware For Accord And Hamlin Speedway Performances in 2007
by Steve Pados, GA Motorsports Media

West Park, NY-Thirteen year old New York State driving talent Zach "Z-Man" O'Connell has been a very busy young man the past two weekends as he and his family have taken part in both the Accord Speedway Banquet on November 3rd at the Hudson Valley Resort located in Kerhonkson, New York, and the Hamlin Speedway Banquet on November 10th, that was held at the Camelback Ski Area Complex in Tannersville, Pennsylvania.

For the Accord Speedway Banquet, a crowd of more than 450 on hand saw the young speedster accept his trophy for winning the Junior Slingshot Championship at the speedway. The "Z-Man" who is looking at a possible move into one of the Friday Night divisions at the speedway in 2009, enjoyed his honors and was one of four Champions at the Speedway racing under the Apple Green Golf Course Sponsorship banner. The other three Champions, Rich Ricci Jr in the Modifieds, Danny Tyler in the Sportsman, and Clint Roehrs in the Micro Sprints all met with O'Connell at center stage for a group picture with all of the Apple Greens Champions.

The Hamlin Speedway Banquet, held over the past weekend, saw a crowd of 250 salute their champions in all divisions at the speedway. O'Connell, who finished fifth in the overall points in the Junior Slingshot Division, received some nice hardware for his efforts in a season that saw him break out and capture his first two wins in his young career at the Hamlin facility. O'Connell, who began his racing career in the summer of 2006, was named the 2006 "Rookie of the Year" at the Hamlin Banquet one year ago.

O'Connell, who drives the family owned immaculately prepared number 327 Slingshot racer, is in the running for the best appearing car out on the circuit, an award that will not be determined until the Tobias Slingshot Banquet occurs sometime in February of 2008. O'Connell, who also ran a limited schedule of events on the Junior National Singshot Tour in 2007, finished eighth in the final rundown of the National points.

With the racing season now completed, the "Z-Man" will focus his attention to his schoolwork. He has maintained Honor Roll status for every semester and has entered the 8th grade this year at the Highland Middle School, situated in Highland, New York. The Honor Roll status is part of an agreement worked out by his parents for the capacity to drive the race car. Zach will start his 5th year in the school band this year as he plays the jazz trumpet. Zach is heavily involved with the school newspaper, "The Blue Review" as an at large reporter. He is also a member of the Ski Club and the Mile Club.

Racing isn't the only sport the "Z-Man" is involved with. Competing in the Port Ewan Athletic Basketball Association, Zach's team, the Nets, won the league title in 2006 and were the runner-ups last year. He has moved into the 13-18 year-old division this year in the basketball league. When not playing sports or doing his homework, the "Z-Man" likes to take the drive to the S&S Speedways to continuously hone his skills at racing, as he finds the more laps run indoors, the more adept he is becoming on the track in the summer.

ZTO Motorsports would like to thank the great supporting cast of sponsors who have come on board with the relatively new racing team. The list includes, Apple Greens Golf Course, Lowes Home Improvement of Kingston, D&D NAPA of Highland, Stock Car Fantasy, John J Pezzo, CPA, P&Z Rental Management Inc, Northern Dutchess Archery, Trailer King, Frozen Rainbow, Jim Young Photography, Gross Graphics, Hig-Fab, Ulster Motorsports, Escopus Sportsman Club, Big Hick Wood, Fast Dirt Racing Promotions, GA Motorsports Media, and Tri State Studios.

For further updates regarding Zach O'Connell and the ZTO Motorsports team, log onto their website at: www.zacharyoconnell.com